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Neurology

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What is Neurology?

Neurology is a branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

The nervous system has two major divisions:

  • The central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord
  • The peripheral nervous system, which includes the nerves and sensory organs found outside of the central nervous system

A medical doctor that specializes in neurology is called a neurologist. Neurologists treat people who have injuries, diseases, or disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system.

neurologist brad racette administers botox to a patient with parkinson's disease

What diseases and conditions do Neurologists treat?

Neurologists treat people with brain or spinal cord injuries, diseases, or conditions, such as:

  • Blood vessel disorders in the brain or spinal cord, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVM), and dural arteriovenous fistulae
  • Brain injury, including anoxic injury or traumatic brain injury
  • Brain tumors, both benign and cancerous
  • Degenerative disorders (disorders that get worse over time) such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s chorea, and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Functional disorders, such as headache, seizure disorder, dizziness, balance disorders, and neuralgia
  • Infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and brain abscesses
  • Movement disorders, such as dyskinesia and essential tremor
  • Neuromuscular disorders, such as Bell’s palsy, cervical spondylosis, peripheral neuropathy, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Stroke disorders such as ischemic strokes (caused by blood clots), hemorrhagic strokes (caused by bleeding in the brain), and transient ischemic attacks (TIA or “mini-stroke”)

Am I a good candidate to see a neurologist?

If you have experienced a brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerve injury, or you have a disease or condition affecting the brain, spine, or peripheral nervous system, you may need to see a neurologist. The status of your injury, disease, or condition will help you, your neurologist, and your other specialists make decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

Information and Resources

American Academy of Neurology